Skin Cancer Diagnosis

I have said several times already, but 2014 was our worst year yet. It ended on an even worse note when a routine dermatologist appointment turned into something much more serious. We received a call that two spots Colby had removed for a biopsy came back as skin cancer. If you aren’t familiar or know much about skin cancer I wanted to share some facts that I got from this dermatology website:

More than 2 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States annually.

Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. It is estimated that one in 50 Americans will develop melanoma in their lifetime.

Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common forms of skin cancer, but are easily treated if detected early.

The major risk factor for melanoma of the skin is exposure to ultraviolet light. Avoiding this risk factor alone could prevent more than 3 million cases of skin cancer every year.

In 2010, new research found that daily sunscreen use cut the incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, in half.

Increasing intermittent sun exposure in childhood and during one’s lifetime is associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

If you want to learn more, there is a more extensive list on their website. The reason I share this is not to bring fear to anyone. The Lord NEVER speaks through fear, but consider this your PSA! The two spots Colby had did not look suspicious AT all. Actually, nothing looked abnormal. But, for us going to the dermatologist is just like going to the dentist. It’s routine and we do both 2x/year.

We are thankful that Colby’s wasn’t melanoma. He had one basal cell and one squama cell. Since it was Christmas, then New Years, then he headed to Georgia for a few weeks for work, it delayed his surgery. However, he had surgery on both spots and the doctors were able to remove all the cancer. Interestingly enough, we were given 3 options. But, two of those – radiation and a topical cream – were immediately dismissed as they can negatively impact fertility.

I hope this encourages one person to get their skin checked!! Find a dermatologist who is very thorough. Ours writes down every mole and measures everything on our body, even taking pictures at times. The good thing about skin cancer is when it’s caught earlier, the survival rate is super high. But, what if we hadn’t been getting checked? What if we hadn’t caught this until months or years down the line? We don’t know what the outcome would be, but I can tell you we are glad we take one hour twice a year to go get scans!!!

If you have any questions or if you are looking for a dermatologist in the North Texas area I would love to help! Please whatever you do – wear sunscreen and put it on your kids too! The website above or the image below gives great info so please take time to make yourself aware of all the facts!

So sorry to hear about this! So glad it was caught- I had melanoma 2x before – early detection, thankfully, so I can attest to how important this is! Praying 2015 is much better and YOUR YEAR! Love and prayers!

Caroline, thanks so much for sharing this important info. No matter what the devil may throw your way, the Greater One is on your team giving you wisdom, courage, and favor. No weapon formed against you will prosper!

Caroline! Wow I had no idea. How scary to receive that diagnosis, but so glad they were able to take care of it! I have been to the dermatologist but that was years ago. Great post—i will definitely schedule appointments for both Scott and I soon! Thank you!

That is so scary. I’ve had to have one completely removed because of cancer cells also on my back. I haven’t been to dermatologist since I lived in CT so I better get moving and get to one! Also, Frankincense and Lemon have cancer fighting properties in them. 🙂 Make use of those oils!

Oh Caroline! I am so sorry to read this, how scary that must have been, I am so glad that they were able to take care of it. Thank you for educating us – this made me even more thankful I (finally) scheduled my first derm appointment to get some suspicious things looked at. I am praying that either of you ever have to worry about this again! xo!

Very scary, but I am glad to hear the surgery went well and your husband is okay! I just started going to the dermatologist last year, (last July was the very first time) and now when I read stories I’m so thankful I did. Thank you for sharing this information.

I am so sorry to hear about this. I am however, super thankful that it was not worse! I’d never once considered dermatology until I met my husband. I’m so thankful that I was exposed to it and now know what to look for and when to have something looked at, even if it’s nothing. Thank you for sharing this, and I am praying for total and complete healing over his whole body!

Oh my gosh!! So crazy. I’m so glad they were able to remove it all! I definitely haven’t been to a derm or had a mole check in like…uhhh…since college?? So thank you for the reminder. I really need to do this!

Oh wow! Sorry to hear that, thank God he is ok and it’s removed. My grandma had melanoma and my mom has had cancerous cells as well, so I get checked yearly. 3 years ago I had to have 3 spots removed, one of which was a basal cell too. I have to be careful and it’s so so important to get checked!

As someone who has been through a melanoma diagnosis before and several subsequent scares since then, I absolutely agree with all your advice about getting checked out! It’s very scary to go through, but even scarier if it’s not caught early! Glad Colby is ok!

How terrifying! I am so glad to hear they were able to remove all of the cancer. Sending healing thoughts and prayers Colby’s way that the cancer does not return and prayers for peace and comfort for you. <3

both of my husband’s parents have had spots removed that were skin cancer. As a result they’re all super passionate about getting their skin checked and wearing sunscreen. They are making me ever more aware of it too- which I am thankful for! I’m glad that Colby was okay! Thank you for talking about something that is SO important! 🙂

Yes yes yes!!! About 6-7 years ago, I went to have one mole checked out (because my grandma wanted me to) and it turned out that 3 OTHER moles were in fact, dysplastic (could be turning into cancer). I had them removed and since had 4 more removed. It’s scary. It was a wake-up call to lather on the sunblock. I loved being in the sun in high school and college which is what I think did it but now I load myself up with sunblock and reapply. You’ve reminded me though that I need to find a dermatologist in SA now!

So glad Colby is okay. Skin cancer is no joke. My stepdad had melanoma at age 29. And just last month, my brother noticed a spot on his fiancee’s leg that turned out to be melanoma. She’s 30. It was very early and she got it removed and is fine. And last week I sent my hubby to the dermatologist and he ended up getting a suspicious mole removed as a precaution. For me, a visit to the dermatologist is like a visit to the dentist: required. Thanks for writing this very important post.

Wow, I’m so glad you all make the dermatologist a regular checkup, and that the doctor checked the spots even though they didn’t look suspicious. At least you all caught it early, and that is one of the keys for beating cancer is early detection. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and hopefully you will encourage others to get checked out too. Stopping by from #shinebloghop